The White House said President Donald Trump spent more than two hours Nov. 16 at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, as part of his annual physical exam.
“Anticipating a very busy 2020, the President is taking advantage of a free weekend here in Washington, D.C., to begin portions of his routine annual physical exam at Walter Reed,” White House press secretary Stephanie Grisham said in a statement after he arrived at the hospital.
The White House didn’t include the hospital visit in his public schedule. No details of the tests have been revealed.
Grisham then responded to rumors that said Trump went to the hospital with chest discomfort.
Visited a great family of a young man under major surgery at the amazing Walter Reed Medical Center. Those are truly some of the best doctors anywhere in the world. Also began phase one of my yearly physical. Everything very good (great!). Will complete next year.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 17, 2019
“Oh, the rumors are always flying,” she told Fox News. “He is as healthy as can be. I put a statement out about that. He’s got more energy than anybody in the White House. That man works from 6 a.m. until, you know, very, very late at night. He’s doing just fine.”
On Twitter, she slammed reporters for their speculation.
“Seems to be a lot more fun for people/some reporters to speculate & spread irresponsible/dangerous rumors. He spent time w medical staff & a military family after the checkup…& I believe the pool reported seeing him walk into the WH upon return….but details,” she wrote on Twitter late on Nov. 16.
Seems to be a lot more fun for people/some reporters to speculate & spread irresponsible/dangerous rumors. He spent time w medical staff & a military family after the checkup…& I believe the pool reported seeing him walk into the WH upon return….but details. https://t.co/mPcoOlogUI
— Stephanie Grisham (@PressSec) November 16, 2019
The health speculation, Grisham said, is also “wholly irresponsible” and “dangerous for the country.”
Trump, 73, also commented on Twitter about his visit to Walter Reed.
“Visited a great family of a young man under major surgery at the amazing Walter Reed Medical Center. Those are truly some of the best doctors anywhere in the world. Also began phase one of my yearly physical. Everything very good (great!). Will complete next year,” he wrote.
Trump is the oldest person ever to be sworn in as president.
His main Democratic rivals for next year’s presidential race are age 70 or older, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and former Vice President Joe Biden.
Sanders, namely, experienced a health scare last month and had emergency surgery following a heart attack. Biden said he would release his medical records.
